At Exploring Iceland we are proud to give back to society. Part of this is the support for university students from all over the world that base their studies on Iceland´s economy, wildlife and social structures. We are happy to introduce them to you:  

Hello, my name is Giulia König, I am 21 years old and I study at the Eberhardt Karls University in Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. I will become a teacher for geography and politics in the future.

​I have been so lucky to meet new friends on our hotel riding tours in Iceland.  When travelling in very small groups (2-4 guests) we get to know our fellow riders well and they become long life friends! Many have returned every year.  Although dinner is not included on our hotel riding tours we always try to spend at least one evening all together, either at a local restaurant or at the hotel and usually on the last evening on the tour.  A good farewell dinner sharing stories about our horses and horsemanship are not to be missed!  

 Iceland´s flora is made of only approximately 490 wild vascular plants – a much smaller number than in neighboring Scandinavia or Britain which is surprising because these countries have harsh climates, too. So there must be more reasons for these limited quantity of species. Compared to other more southernly countries there has been a rather short length of time since glacier ice covered most of Iceland.  ​Some scientists say that the whole of Iceland was covered in ice during the last ice age which ended roughly 10 000 years ago, others believe that some plants may have survived on so called “nunataks” standing out of the ice.

​Autumn is the time when nature slows down and prepares for winter. In Iceland autumn often starts early at least in comparison with the mainland of Europe. Depending on where you are in Iceland the first signs of autumn can be noticed as early as Mid August. While people in Germany or France often enjoy a typical hot August day at the beach or at the outdoor café, Icelanders need to put on another layer and rescue the potatoes from their garden patch as first night frosts are not uncommon as soon as September starts looming. You can even get the first beautiful northern light displays during that time. 

​When I was growing up in the seventees my mom was a stay – at – home mom like most moms in Iceland.  The food was prepared from scratch, mostly meals based on fish but lamb on Sundays.  For mid-day coffee she usually baked either „kleinur“, pancakes or simple cakes.  Oohhh those were the days, warm cakes and cold milk after being playing all day outside.

Today´s blog is about the one and only Icelandic „Kleina“. 

Self drive tours in Iceland are the ultimate way to explore the island for those that prefer to travel independently. You will have the total freedom and flexibility to get to places off the beaten track, and then spend as much time as you want while enjoying greater comfort and privacy. Getting around Iceland is easy - roads are well marked and ​especially during summer driving is easy as long as you stick to the main roads. ​

​In every little village in Iceland there are at least four „places“ to be found:  
 
1. Swimming pool 
2. Football/soccer field 
3. Golf course 
4. Horse stables/Riding club with oval track, community house and preferrably riding hall

​No surprise as riding is one of the most popular sports in Iceland and socializing 

​​As more and more countries are slowly emerging from the battle with the Coronavirus epidemic we are all longing to regain some sort of normality. Leaving the “safe four walls” of our house or apartment for the first time, going back to work or school, the first visit to a restaurant, the hair dresser or the local swimming pool – these are certainly small steps but surprisingly memorable ones in these unprecedented times. For some of us it is simply enough to know that we made it through the last weeks without infection but others are already longing for bigger steps. Sooner or later we will make the highly individual decision that we feel ready to travel again. 

We have a riddle to solve for you: What do French Champagne & Cognac, Greek Feta Cheese and the Icelandic knitted sweater have in common?
Yes, you are right! Well done! Answer: They are legally protected product names. Since March 2020 a knitted Icelandic sweater may only be called lopapeysa if it fullfill certain criteria: 

1.      The sweater must be handknitted in Iceland.
2.   The wool used to make handcrafted Icelandic sweaters shall be cut from Icelandic sheep.
3.      Only virgin wool shall be used as material for the sweater (wool that has not been recycled).

On a cold September evening when I was browsing through Facebook I came across an advertisment where a beautiful grey horse was for sale (see video).  Since grey is my favorite colour and team Steinunn ​needed more good horses for the hotel riding tours I decided to take a closer look. 

​Unfortunately the horse was based in East Iceland and 700 km from my home consequently I did not have any opportunity to try the horse but I made some calls and found out this would probably be a perfect horse and he was at a good price too.  So I took the chance and bought the horse. 

​He came to my stable a few days later with a trailer and we rode him for few days before he was introduced to some other of my horses at the president´s backyards. He stayed there for a few weeks , just getting to know the other horses until I took him into the stable to start riding him on a regular basis.